Words from an overwhelmed husband to be..

[diamondseeker2006]

I would avoid many mall chain stores for the setting, although I don't know what you have in Canada compared to here. It is good to go with a higher end jeweler for settings as they may carry better quality brands than the average chain store. They also may have more skilled bench people for setting the stone, sizing, etc. Many people try to choose a setting from the diamond vendor, as the ring comes ready to wear and insure. But I understand if she wants to help choose the setting once you have given her the diamond!

 

[Evilsports]

Has she looked online at settings at all? That might help too, see what she's drawn to. Accent stones/side stones/solitaire/three stone etc. Might help cut down on some of your mall-walking! I have a tendency/habit/compulsion to make things harder than what they are/should be so I proooobably am not one who should be replying. My saga took months and months to complete and is probably the reason why my husband has so much gray now.

Yes.

She has spend many hours online looking at settings. If she can confirm that this style/size of ring works for her on her hand, we are done as far as settings go. She really does love the setting.

 

[insured]

Aside from that, I'd appreciate a few opinions on the setting. It's 2.1mm wide all the way around. Is that a decent size for a setting like this? I've got my calipers out and a 2.1mm ring seems a bit on the small side to me.

I fully acknowledge the likelihood that I have no idea what I'm talking about, hence the question.

My wedding band is 2 mm wide, and it is what I would consider narrow, and I have very small hands (size 4.5 ring). Proportionally speaking, if the shank in that picture is 2 mm wide I would think the center diamond pictured is likely no more than 1 ct, maybe smaller. The diamonds you are looking at would be proportionally larger - a 1.5 - 2 ct stone would be 3.5-4x wider than that shank. Does the Union site say what size center stone that is? Edited to say: Just looked more closely at the pic and the diamond pictured is about 2.5x the diameter of the shank, so about 5 mm or .50 ct.

Also important to consider is how large or small your wife's fingers are, and whether she prefers a delicate or more substantial look.

I am in a smaller market in Canada than you, and good quality diamonds can be sourced through independent jewellers - you just have to ask - and stay away from the maul chains, lol.

 

[VRBeauty]

Aside from that, I'd appreciate a few opinions on the setting. It's 2.1mm wide all the way around. Is that a decent size for a setting like this? I've got my calipers out and a 2.1mm ring seems a bit on the small side to me.

I fully acknowledge the likelihood that I have no idea what I'm talking about, hence the question.

My wedding band is 2 mm wide, and it is what I would consider narrow, and I have very small hands (size 4.5 ring). Proportionally speaking, if the shank in that picture is 2 mm wide I would think the center diamond pictured is likely no more than 1 ct, maybe smaller. The diamonds you are looking at would be proportionally larger - a 1.5 - 2 ct stone would be 3.5-4x wider than that shank. Does the Union site say what size center stone that is? Edited to say: Just looked more closely at the pic and the diamond pictured is about 2.5x the diameter of the shank, so about 5 mm or .50 ct.

I agree. A 2.1mm wide band with a ~1.5 ct stone is not going to give you that look.

 

[Evilsports]

I am in a smaller market in Canada than you, and good quality diamonds can be sourced through independent jewellers - you just have to ask - and stay away from the maul chains, lol.

We're heading out again this morning to find comparable setting to the one she picked online, to make sure that style looks as good on her finger as it does online.

I will try again to have the local jewelers provide a diamond at a competitive price point. My limited experience was that they immediately trash talked online vendors while making vague references to intangibles which were never really explained to us. I'm the first guy to try and support my local economy, I really am. I just have a hard time patronizing companies who are either less than honest or companies who find it ok to try to make a sale by disrespecting the competition. I'm kind of fussy like that. If I get the impression that a salesperson has to talk badly about competition it usually makes me think that they are only doing so because they are unable to compete.

Like I said though, I'll definitely give them another chance at our business.

 

[canuk-gal]

I am in a smaller market in Canada than you, and good quality diamonds can be sourced through independent jewellers - you just have to ask - and stay away from the maul chains, lol.

We're heading out again this morning to find comparable setting to the one she picked online, to make sure that style looks as good on her finger as it does online.

I will try again to have the local jewelers provide a diamond at a competitive price point. My limited experience was that they immediately trash talked online vendors while making vague references to intangibles which were never really explained to us. I'm the first guy to try and support my local economy, I really am. I just have a hard time patronizing companies who are either less than honest or companies who find it ok to try to make a sale by disrespecting the competition. I'm kind of fussy like that. If I get the impression that a salesperson has to talk badly about competition it usually makes me think that they are only doing so because they are unable to compete.

Like I said though, I'll definitely give them another chance at our business.

HI:

You might be pleasantly surprised. In Calgary, when I was buying my upgrade, I went with a positive attitude and a set of criteria and settled on one vendor. I asked them to search their suppliers for diamond close to my spec's; and asked if they could provide a copy of the cert before they sent the diamond. That way I could "choose" the ones I wanted to see, and limit the amount of unnecessary $$ the vendor spends to ship stones that would not even be reasonable contenders. (aka 64% depth...etc etc). I never had an issue as most of the places here want to be helpful/transparent, whereby obtaining your business....for life..

Good luck and let us know what you find.

cheers--Sharon

 

[SB621]

Hmmmm your setting actually looks quite similar to my first ering (I have had a few upgrades and dress changes since then). I would just be careful that they get the proportions right. With my similar setting it looked fantastic with my .79ct RB but when I upgraded to over 2cts it completely overwhelmed the setting plus the head was built up too high. I doubt you will have these problems since WF is doing this custom for you, where as I tried to jam my diamond in, but still I would just make sure via the CAD's that proportional everything has a good flow. Especially when you mix cuts I tend to be more picky about it.

And have them claw prong the setting. Will look much better with a MRB then the peg prongs in your inspiration photo.

 

[insured]

I am in a smaller market in Canada than you, and good quality diamonds can be sourced through independent jewellers - you just have to ask - and stay away from the maul chains, lol.

We're heading out again this morning to find comparable setting to the one she picked online, to make sure that style looks as good on her finger as it does online.

I will try again to have the local jewelers provide a diamond at a competitive price point. My limited experience was that they immediately trash talked online vendors while making vague references to intangibles which were never really explained to us. I'm the first guy to try and support my local economy, I really am. I just have a hard time patronizing companies who are either less than honest or companies who find it ok to try to make a sale by disrespecting the competition. I'm kind of fussy like that. If I get the impression that a salesperson has to talk badly about competition it usually makes me think that they are only doing so because they are unable to compete.

Like I said though, I'll definitely give them another chance at our business.

I hear you, and have no patience for a jeweller who tries to BS me. My experience is similar to Canuk-gal - certainly there are jewellers like you describe but others are in touch with the reality of online availability, and if you go in knowing what you want they will be willing to try to source it for you and come as close in price as they can, although they will not likely be able to price match entirely. You'll likely have best luck with a small goldsmith/custom jewellery type place rather than a store that sells pre-fab goods, as they have the most experience sourcing wholesale diamonds for their own work rather than a dealer in a retail distribution chain. There are gems out there and a good relationship with someone like that is worth something.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Just a note, I think a larger stone would look fantastic in a setting with those proportions! I think a 2- 2.5mm shank is perfect! For one thing, it can be a little wider closer to the center to accommodate the side stones and taper down thinner towards the back.

 

[SB621]

I would stick around 2.5-3mm for this setting unless your wife has super tiny fingers (under size 4). If you go down to 2mm with baguettes, like the design calls for they will be super tiny and once again proportions will be off. Most ppl don't use baguettes in their settings on PS so they are thinking melee sizes vs this.

 

[vintagelover229]

I wonder if there is any way to make the profile into a trellis style design? I think that would make it flow very nicely!

 

[Evilsports]

Thank you for the additional advice, folks.

My wife is actually now considering a much more basic setting. I'm not trying to push her in any direction so I'll just sit back and let this happen as organically as possible.

She's eyeing up this one now:






...which is a fair bit different from her original decision. Between us, I like the BG setting more, but I'd never tell her that.

I found her original selection to be a bit clunky and masculine. This one seems to me to have much sexier lines to it. I hope she settles on this one.

Anyhow, I've gotten back into the pricey part of her ring and I'm again sorting through potential stones. I keep finding myself drawn back to one in particular and I was hoping to get a few opinions on it. It has a smaller (53%) table and I'm reading that this may improve fire and scintillation? Does it also sacrifice size or openness? I'm more concerned with the light properties than I am with it appearing to be bigger or smaller, I'd just like to know what to expect.

Here's a link to the stone with grading, measurements, ASET, Ideal Scope, etc.:

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3034513.htm?source=pricescope

Please let me know if anything in the stone causes you pause. I'm really making this up as I go along.

Thanks.

 

[vintagelover229]

this tacori might interest her-bad photos of it though


http://www.goodoldgold.com/images/classicjewelry/Tacori%20Images/2575/2575%20COLLAGE.jpg

 

[smilligan]

Wow. That diamond looks incredible to my eyes. I think it would be a wonderful choice.

 

[smilligan]

Wow. That diamond looks incredible to my eyes. I think it would be a wonderful choice.

 

[VRBeauty]

I love the setting she's looking at now! Good luck with your purchase!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

The diamond is great, and I am glad she is looking at the settings at WhiteFlash! They have some beautiful, nice quality settings, and it is by far better to have the diamond vendor set the diamond.

(I'd put that diamond on hold, though, if you are serious about it. There are many lurkers and people have lost stones when they posted them without putting the stone on hold.)

 

[Evilsports]

Welcome, Kevin! You'll have time if you deal with a jeweler who has stones in-house. I personally have bought from and highly recommend both Good Old Gold and WhiteFlash. They both specialize in top cut quality stones. They provide the information you need to make an informed purchase. I'll take a quick look and see what they both have in stock.

Diamondseeker,

I'm just getting ready to order our ring and I noticed that Whiteflash has a customer loyalty incentive whereby they send $100 to existing customers if they refer somebody else. Seeing as how you were the first to recommend Whiteflash, I wanted to see if you were an existing customer so that we could line up your $100.

If you qualify for the bonus, let me know and I'll send you my contact info in order for you to collect.

If somebody else sees this and has Diamondseekers contact info, could you please give her a heads up? (Just in case the Whiteflash incentive is time sensitive.)

Thanks,
Kevin.

 

[Gypsy]

That's very nice of you to offer! But we don't, to my knowledge, qualify or take any kind of referral bonus on PS. Vendors usually offer those for personal referrals, not online forum referrals.

 

[SB621]

That's very nice of you to offer! But we don't, to my knowledge, qualify or take any kind of referral bonus on PS. Vendors usually offer those for personal referrals, not online forum referrals.

Yup and I believe we can get in trouble for accepting a bonus because that would not be the point of a prosumer forum. I believe there was a lot of controversy when BGD unknowingly tried to do the referral to a PS member on accident.

From the Forum Rules:

5.Referrals and Recommendations:

a.Recommendations given within the Pricescope community should be done in a good faith as genuine opinions based on personal knowledge and experience and not influenced by any commercial interests.

b.Any renumeration , such as discounts or any other benefits, in exchange for posted testimony, referred products or services within the Pricescope community are strictly forbidden. Please report any vendor offering you any such benefits to the “Admin”.

 

[Evilsports]

Sorry folks, I wasn't trying to do anything shady! I talked to Liza at Whiteflash and she confirmed your comments. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[Gypsy]

Sorry folks, I wasn't trying to do anything shady! I talked to Liza at Whiteflash and she confirmed your comments. Sorry for the confusion.

No need to apologize. Your suggestion came from a generous place of gratitude. And that came through. No one thought anything shady was going on. We were just explaining the policies of the forum to you, so that you would understand why, despite the generous offer of a referral, Diamondseeker wouldn't be able to take you up on it.

Come back with your experiences and some pics for us to ogle. That and thanks is reward enough for us.

 

[SB621]

oh yes pictures!!!!!!! They are so much better!!!!!